Finding Work for Female Vets

Finding Work for Female Vets

(NBC News) 24-year-old Porsche Williams is a single mother of two now studying computers.

She used to refuel jets on aircraft carriers in the Navy.

Since her discharge Porsche has been struggling to find the right job.

"I expected, you know that - the background that I had, somebody would go 'Yeah...she served our country. The least we can do is be there to help her. Employ her. Help her take care of her family'," she says.

Porsche is not alone.

The October unemployment rate for female veterans was 8-percent, higher than the rate for male veterans now at 6.7-percent.

The Veterans Administration says a greater percentage of females are unemployed in part because they don't realize they qualify for benefits like job training.

"The perception among many of the women is that if they didn't serve in combat they are not veterans," explains Irene Trowell-Harris, director of the Veterans Administration's Center for Women Veterans.

The V.A. is expanding its outreach to people like Porsche through a new hot line and website dedicated to women.